How much longer til we leave? Can I mark today off the countdown? Its only noon- no.

[xanphylus]

Ok- this is my first attempt at a pre-trip or any trip report of any type! So bare with me folks!
My family is super excited to head out to the world for our first official Disney trip as a family! My husband and I went for our honeymoon- and that's a whole other story (involves him loosing the car keys and me sobbing in fantasyland i believe it was.... but anyway...).

Ok- here's the major players in this shindig:

me- AKA mommy (or Jenn to my step-daughter)
DH- AKA daddy (John)
DD8- Aleks
DS turning 1 on the trip!
and my mommy is coming along as well... we'll refer to her as DM

I first started planning this trip about 8 months ago.... or at least dreaming about it! I never thought we would actually be able to go since I am out of work and have been since I was about 4 months pregnant (that'a another long story best left alone! ) Anyway! I saved up all of our income tax money and hoarded it away and viola! DISNEY here we come!! And even better- its free dining! Hurray!!

We are staying at PoP- I got the upgrade e-mail, but of course I didn't bother to check my e-mail that day and by the time I called, all my dates were booked for the free upgrade- go figure! But hey, I'm going to Disney World with my babies, so who cares?! I can't wait until Sept 23!!!

My DD keeps marking the days off the calendar, too bad the day isn't over yet when she starts marking them! She asks early in the morning- can I mark today off now? She can't wait either! She knows there is a box in her closet, I call it her box of magic! It is a big box of presents for when we get there! It has presents Tinkerbell herself brought over to our house so that I could wrap them up special just for her!

ok- I will keep going tomorrow. I have a school open house to attend and meet DD's new teacher. School starts early here in GA- they start monday! Yikes!

 

[xanphylus]

Guess it helps if I put my DS's name too huh? David- my sweet little davy boy! And smarter than is good for him- or me for that matter! He is only 10 months old and has already figured out the baby locks on the cabinets and door knobs and almost the baby gate! I am so in trouble with this one!

Ok.... really gotta go now!

 

[xanphylus]

Alright! It has been forever since I started, but I can now get a little more done!
I have my ADRs and my dates and all situated! Leaving Sept 23 about 8 am and coming home Sept 28. DS's first b-day is the 25th!


We are driving from GA,near Atlanta- so about 7 or 8 hour drive... not too horrible, minus the baby who hates his car seat on occasion... Hopefully he will be good and love all the toys in the back seat that he and his sister will get every hour or so along the trip. Also, we plan to stop and let them run around at rest stops as well. I have about 8 presents apiece for them, so that should last a little while. DD's are books, crayons, and a Hannah Montana magazine, so those should keep her occupied for a while! DS has some little stuffed animals and baby books. DH will be sleeping most of the trip, as he works nights and is working the night before we leave! Yikes for him! I hope he makes it!

Anyway- these are my ultimate plans..... any suggestions or changes out there?

Sept 23: leave ga! Arrive about 4 or 5 pm, head to Epcot after check-in for ADR at Akershus Storybook Dining at 8:15 and EMH!

24th: Epcot all day, break during day to hotel for pool and nap around 12 or so. Return for dinner ADR at Tuttu Italia at 4:30.

25th: MK early and leave at lunch for swim and nap time. Hang at resort until about 4, head back to MK for MNSSHP!!! And ADR at Liberty Tree at 5:35

26th: DS's first birthday!!! Of course spending the day at MK! Birthday dinner at Crystal Palace at 5pm. He was born at 5:36 pm, so hopefully we will be inside the restaurant and we can sing to him then!! (Nap and swim as usual in afternoon)

27th: Spend day at Ak until whenever. If he naps in stroller, good. If not we can leave. This will be our only day here, so we want to maximize time here since they close earlier than other parks. ADR at Chef Mickey's at 6:55- should give us time to hit resort to clean up and make it to dinner. Hoping to see fireworks or electric water parade after depending on timing!

28th: Hit HS before we leave for home.

I think it should be pretty good!!! And very magical!

The kids each got a postcard from a fairy godmailer today too! DS was very excited even though he really had no idea what was going on! We showed him the postcard with mickey and the gang all on it and his eyes just lit up! He was smiling so big!!! We told him it was his and he giggled! DD will get hers when she gets home from school! She will love it! It is from all the princesses!! And when you move it, it shows the castle!! How Cute!!!